RENOWNED Internist CARDIOLOGIST , medical leader , and health reform advocate Dr. Anthony Leachon has been appointed as special adviser for noncommunicable diseases by the Department of Health (DoH) on Friday.

In a statement, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said that Leachon’s appointment would be “beneficial to the Filipino people as he has exemplary knowledge and experience in the medical field.”

“Together, we continue to move steadfastly in further realizing Universal Healthcare. With the aid of Dr. Leachon, we will ensure that every Filipino will feel healthy, because in a healthy Philippines, every life matters,” Herbosa added.

Healthier Philippines

Our vision and mission

At HPB, our vision is to see a nation of healthy people.

Our mission is to empower individuals to take ownership of their health. We achieve this through:

Being a centre of excellence for health promotion, disease prevention and patient education.

Establishing, engaging and supporting local and international partnerships.

Being a people-centred organization that inspires and enables our employees to realise their full potential.

Our values

These are what we stand for at HPB:

People-Centricity: Care for people; inspire healthy living

Innovation: Dare to try; learn quickly

Excellence: Do our best, keep getting better.

Healthier Philippines is a national initiative by the Department of Health focusing on preventive health. Filipinos will be empowered citizens who can take proactive steps to manage their health, prevent the onset of chronic diseases and have strong support to lead healthier lifestyles. Healthier PH offers you:

Trusted care from your primary care physician for your health needs.

All rounded support to lead healthier lifestyles and see better health outcomes.

Empowerment to take charge of your own health.

Key Features of Healthier PH

The choice to live healthier. You will be empowered to take charge of your own health, with support at every step of your health journey.

Strong patient-doctor relationships. You will receive long-term, dedicated care from a trusted family doctor.

A shift towards preventive care. Your Health Plan will include nationally-recommended health screenings and vaccinations relevant you, to detect health issues early and manage them well.

Support from the community. Through lifestyle adjustments and community programmes recommended by your doctor, you will be able to sustain healthier habits.

Better care delivery. Healthcare IT and data infrastructure will be improved to serve you better, including convenient digital tools or equipment

Among his plans as special adviser are the implementation of a massive public health education program on how to prevent noncommunicable diseases, as well as holding an NCD summit with the private sector, business organizations, medical associations, and civil society health champions.

He also aims to work with government agencies and local government units on health promotion programs, as well as empowering every Filipino citizen to be healthy through a comprehensive plan of action involving all major stakeholders.

Finally, Leachon said that he will move with “a sense of urgency to execute the goals of the DoH to help in the economic recovery of the country.” “I hope that some of my ideas and plans will be helpful to reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases in the Philippines and that we will be successful in the way that God will measure success,” Leachon said.

What are we going to do ?

Strategic planning in health care organizations involves outlining the actionable steps needed to reach specific goals. While there are different strategy types and levels, the purpose of all strategies is to bring an organization’s actions into alignment with its stated mission or values.

Vision on the healthcare system

1. UHC implementation with preventive health programs

2. Curb noncommunicable diseases ( heart attacks , strokes , cancers , diabetes , hypertension ) – top killer diseases of the country

3. Philhealth efficiency of service system and reduce out of pocket expenses

4. Building up of medical infrastructures in strategic areas of the country through the funding of the government and PPP ( public private partnership )

5. Address migration of HCWs by raising salaries , job security and providing benefits to man the hospitals in the NCR and countryside

6. Roll out preventive health education programs through the improvement of education system , workplace conditions and entire country ; According to the CDC, Schools can provide learning opportunities to reinforce these healthy behaviors by implementing wellness policies and practices and using an effective health education curriculum. Preventive health education is needed to empower every Filipino citizen to adopt healthy lifestyle. But we need a game plan.

7. Mobilize private sector , business community and medical associations to help with the DOH programs.

The five strategies set out for Health Promotion are essential for success:

build healthy public policy.

create supportive environments.

strengthen community action.

develop personal skills.

reorient health services.

Genuine leadership needed : public and private sector

The latest book “The Leadership Challenge “ by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner , 2023 has emphasized the “ Characteristics of Admired Leaders “ globally. They are the following :

1. Honest

2. Competent

3. Inspiring

4. Forward – looking

5. Dependable

Life is too short to live frustrated, upset over things that, many times, we have no control over. People have a right to have their biased opinion, but you have a right to ignore it and think of positive ways to help. People have a right to be complain , but you have a right to stay happy.

We need collaborative work through friendly and positive discussions over a table of brotherhood.

We have to do everything we can, we have to work our hardest, and if we do, if we stay positive, we have a shot at a silver lining.

In summary , we need to work together to realize our dreams and goals. I quote :

“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”

– Andrew Carnegie

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Anthony C. Leachon, M. D.

Special Adviser for Noncommunicable Diseases
Department of Health

Past President ,
Philippine College of Physicians

Internist – Cardiologist
Manila Doctors Hospital